‘Death of a President’ Shut Out by Cinema Bosses

A new movie that depicts the death of President George W Bush looks likely to flop at the box office after being snubbed by U.S.’ biggest cinema chain.

Distribution firm Newmarket Films snapped up the rights to controversial faux documentary Death of a President after it was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, and has moved quickly to ensure it is released at the end of October–ahead of the Nov. 7 House of Representative elections in the US.

But bosses at Regal Entertainment Group are refusing to show the film. CEO Mike Campbell explains, “We feel it is inappropriate to portray the future assassination of a sitting president, regardless of political affiliation.”

Regal has been joined by Cinemark USA and executives at other chains are still considering whether to screen it.

But Newmarket bosses insist it is successfully placing the movie in a number of theatres.

Distribution consultant Richard Abramowitz says, “Every day during a busy time we are picking up plenty of screens. We’re getting a good reception in a lot of places. No matter how tight the screens are, once a film has success, it’s always easier to get more screens.”